AM34 running away with the Hart

[loppantorkel]

Wasn’t meant to be too nippy, but there’s an argument to be had about the ”99% of the NHL population knowing…” and ”I don't care what the text definition is... everybody knows this is award is supposed to be "best player in the NHL this year”.
What’s the Ted Lindsey Award for? How do you interpret Most Outstanding Player? It’s voted by different groups, yes, but when you have two awards with two variations - one Most Valuable and one Most Outstanding, it serves some purpose to keep them at least somewhat differentiated.

So, you have MacKinnon as the best player this season and you make a very good argument for him. He’d be an excellent candidate for the Ted Lindsey Award.

Who’s the most valuable player in the NHL this season? Who has carried his team the most? Probably McDavid or Kucherov, if we exclude goalies like Hellebuyck. I doubt any of these teams would be in the playoffs without them.

So… who do I think get the Hart Trophy -

 

Nathan MacKinnon! On the assumption that Kucherov falls short of 150p. Both McDavid and Kucherov eclipse 100 assists, but MacKinnon is close enough to Kucherov in points, and as RizzeeDizzee has brought up - MacKinnon is due for a Hart. It’s not just about being the best player or most valuable when it comes to Hart votes - the players earn votes throughout the years too. The PHWA have their own ideas who is Hart worthy, just like everyone else, and MacKinnon likely has earned all the bonus points he needs to win it. If Kucherov gets to 150p, I think that will sway enough voters to him.

Apologies for putting you off. Was it really that harsh? For what it’s worth, I really enjoy reading your analyses whenever you do them. I suppose I noted your criticism of the interpretation and voting of the Hart, and I just believe it's very much up for debate how to interpret and vote for the Hart. It's an odd award and maybe it's time to review, change, add or rename several of the awards.

[blayze]

AM34 with 69!!!

Hope he clinches 70 tonight so they can rest him

[hockeyrobot]

Does he play tonight?

[dejeanneret]

I think he plays tonight

[Axeman33]

Oh he's playing tonight. You know he is.

[Belexus75]

i think he plays tonight even if he scored one yesterday....they got 12 healthy forwards...bonus they have is that they finish today and not tomorrow...

[Invictus]

If he wants to play I'd be playing him. Would reduce his 5v5 minutes though.
I'm not one with the mindset to sit out younger players if there are healthy.

[SeaDawg]

Unless Babcock is coaching tonight, he's playing.

[TeamRamrod]

Kuch should win the Hart. 1st in points (way ahead of Matthews), in on 50% of ALL TB scoring, has a shot at 100 assists tonight. And for those that argue 100 assists means nothing, Kuch would be only the fifth in NHL history. Joining Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr and McDavid. You may have heard of them? I'm not knocking 70 goals, as Matthews could join eight others who have completed the feat. Not a TB fan, but I definitely don't drink the Maple leaf Kool-Aid. It's been an outstanding year in the NHL, lets not get stupid, now.

[Invictus]

Kucherov: 142 pts / TBL 285 GF = 49.82%
MacKinnon: 138 pts / COL 299 GF = 46.15%
McDavid: 132 pts / EDM 291 GF = 45.36%
Panarin: 120 pts / NYR 282 GF = 42.55%
Matthews: 107 pts / TOR 299 GF = 35.79%

[LawMan]

It's going to be a very tight race!
I think MacKinnon wins it.

[Axeman33]

Can't you just hear Leafs Nation exploding if Matthews didn't even make the finalists list LOL!

[newfcollins]

I think MacKinnon wins, but it should be Kucherov.

[Belexus75]

Can't you just hear Leafs Nation exploding if Matthews didn't even make the finalists list LOL!

if he does not score today he should not be a finalist, if he does, i still think he wins it.

[chuckcouples]

There are no finalists. The NHL announces the top 3 vote getters. This is not the Hobey Baker with multiple stages of voting.